Daryl Coley: The gospel giant returns after battle with illness

One of the giants of contemporary gospel DARYL COLEY has made a return to the scene with the unexpected re-issue of an old album. Tony Cummings reports.

Daryl Coley

Daryl Coley is one of
the giants of contemporary gospel music. But, despite his big sales
and critical acclaim the California-based singer seemed to drop out
from the scene, only now returning with the re-issue of his 1986 album
'Just Daryl'. The re-issue, which has been updated with the addition
of some newly recorded tracks, demonstrates to younger gospel fans
what older ones have known for years - Daryl's silky smooth tone,
spectacular range and dazzling jazz-like improvisational skills make
him one of post war gospel's great vocalists. Journalist Andrea R
Williams asked Daryl what he's been up to the last few years. He
replied, "I have been going out preaching. I'm one of the ministers at
Covenant Worship Center in Inglewood, California, under the pastorate
of Bishop Andrew C. Turner, II. I have pastored a couple of churches
down through the years. I'm 50 and I started preaching when I was 17;
it's been a long time. I've always been preaching but people have
never known that side of me - unless they have heard me. But recently,
I've had about three years of just being sick - the result of
diabetes. It swelled up and got really bad. So I've been just trying
to recover from that. But I'm well on the way to recovery."

Daryl gives testimony of how his health problems have drawn him closer
to God. "It's been a much closer walk. Right now I'm dealing with some
things in my vision. But it's really been a great blessing. Instead of
looking at people's faces, I've had to hear - with a discerning ear.
He's sharpening things in me. I already have the guarantee of the
healing of my vision. In fact, it's already been done. It's been
amazing that with all that I've been dealing with and going through,
God is still being glorified. People still see me doing what the Lord
has been telling me to do. I have people say to me, 'If you're dealing
with this and you still have your joy and are still preaching and
singing, then I know that I can go through what I have to go through
and trust God.'

"About a year ago, I was at a conference. A week before the
conference, the Prelate, the Bishop over the conference, called to
tell me that he was diagnosed with brain cancer and cancer of the
spine. We immediately prayed and spoke healing. When I walked into the
conference, he said that he had received his doctor's report and there
was no cancer! His word to me was, 'I know you've been going through a
lot the last few years and you've been such an inspiration to me. I
believed that if the Lord is healing you that he would heal me also.'
How amazing! So I'm not having a pity party; I'm rejoicing because for
the purposes of the Kingdom, this is what it is. I'm just excited
because God is working through this whole thing. This is really
blowing my mind; I'm trippin' out! This is a wonderful thing. I know
people would probably think I'm crazy but it's a wonderful thing
because he's sharpening areas of my spirituality."

Daryl went on to explain how his very first album 'Just Daryl',
originally released in 1986 on First Epistle Records, got its
unexpected re-issue. "My son and my godson started a record company
called Diego Music Group and I was the first artist to come out on the
label. I do have three bonus tracks on there that I did with Paul
Wright who we are in partnership with. The choir, the Voices Of
Fulfillment, their CD dropped as well. It's an awesome, awesome choir.
They have a song on there with the choir. It's wonderful. We do have
six or seven artists in the wings that we're working with. It's a
brand new record company; we're just excited because of what God has
promised us. We're doing things with integrity. Since most of us have
been artists, we already understand some of the struggles and
disappointments some artists have had with record labels. I do have a
new group of 10 guys; all of us sing. We go from soprano to bass. I'm
also working on another solo project for me."

Over the years Daryl has experienced considerable success. 'Just
Daryl' was nominated for a Grammy, his 1990 debut for Light Records
'He's Right On Time' made number three on the Gospel Charts while
1992's 'When The Music Stops' made it to number one. More recently,
1997's 'Live In Oakland: Home Again' featuring a scorching duet with
Vanessa Bell Armstrong on "Don't Give On Jesus" was another major
gospel hit. Yet for Daryl's own success the singer is a little
concerned about the direction some gospel music is heading. "I'm glad
for the advancement and I'm glad that it's popular. I am not
disappointed - but uneasy - about how we're going about delivering the
message. I know that it is music that touches the hearts and the
spirit. But in reaching other people with the sound of today, I think
we need to make sure we're delivering the message of Jesus Christ and
not sacrificing the message just to do music. We need to bring forth a
message that changes lives and changes attitudes. I love the fun we
can have doing gospel music. But in the midst of having fun, we have
to make sure that we deliver a solid message about Jesus Christ - who
he is, what he has done, what he is capable of doing, and what he has
promised us. We need to tell people where he's brought us from. They
should be able to see that we are an example of people being changed;
we must change. We can't sing gospel music and turn around and do the
same things that everyone else is doing. There has to be a change, a
difference. At the same time, it doesn't mean that artists who sing
secular music are wrong. I know a lot of secular artists who are in
theatre and they have a love for the Lord; it's a job for them. They
continue to pray, seek God and do his will. I believe there's a place
for all of us. If we are to minister to people, we have to be
available in every genre and every place where music is. People will
see Christ and feel his touch through us."

The opinions expressed in this article are
not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed
views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may
not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a
later date.

About Tony Cummings

Tony Cummings is the music editor for Cross Rhythms website and attends Grace Church in Stoke-on-Trent.

Reader Comments

Posted by Lydia Willis in shreveport, LA @ 04:09 on Nov 1 2016

I had the opportunity, to a hear him live, my ears were
unable to accept, this man has skills off the chart, I've
never heard anyone, that can sing on this level, that was
maybe 30 years ago. I AM STILL FROZEN IN TIME. I admire
anyone, that can step outside the box and say this is who I
am. FayePac Unleashed says, rest in peace, a job well done,
you gave me joy.

I remember having the opportunity to meet Pastor Coley and
take a picture with him in my hometown, Akron, Ohio. What
an awesome concert and oh how her ministered to us in word
and song! I will forever love him and his music; Rest in
Heaven Pastor Coley, your Sunday has come!!!

I remember well some years ago Daryl and I were preaching at
a friend's church in WashingtonDC. ,and afterwards going to
his GodMothers'home.What a wonderful time fellowship ,side
splitting laughter. Oh how honored we were to feel the power
,and presence of Holy Spirit into the early morning hours.

Pastor Coley, We called him I was blessed with his
fellowship.. I was honored to help him organize his church
in LA.
I preached for him his first Sunday as Pastor in Gardena CA
In the 1980's
May He rest in peace

Daryl has blessed me as a young twenty year old with his
music , I am waiting and eager to see what GOD will do with
his sight and when he does I pray that he sends that same
healing to my best friend C. Ratliff. GOD I love you and I
trust you.

Daryl Coley has been in my spirit for about a week now. I
just begin to pray because I have heard anything regarding
him. His ministry has blessed me and my family over the
years. PMAC conference and AMC in Atl GA was blessed to
have Pastor Coley to teach a Voice class around 1999. Oh
what a blessing it was. I love you Pastor Coley...

Hey darly I've heard you sing a couple times,but just
recently I really started listening to you sing,you I never
had a music mentor and everybody needs someone in life to
help them on their journey would you consider thanks my
friend